Foo - Knee/ACL Brace

Anyone here ever had to use a knee brace due to acl problems? I tore mine 30+ years ago and it's gotten to the point that I am barely able to hobble around some days. It just "popped" one day and the last couple of weeks have been hell. :cry: Surgery is out of the question at this point. I can't afford to spend a fortune for a brace, but am just curious to see if anyone has used something fairly affordable that actually helped stabilize your knee.

I have patella-femoral syndrome in both knees and I used to wear one of those neoprene jobbies on the worse knee, physiotherapist I went to a few times said those things don't do anything. I quit wearing them after that. I dunno about those $$$$ ones with straps and such, though.

Don Joy

For patella femoural joint problems look at exercises to improve knee alignment and general control of the knee also by the glutes. See "strenghten the knee" tread.

Tried that, no dice. I grew fast, grew tall and was a skinny teenager, that's when my problems started. This aint about my bum knees though, this is about the OPs bum knee. :)

Unfortunately all real ACL braces are expensive because they have to be custom fit. The anterior/posterior torque that the ACL stabilizes necessitates a custom fit. Be prepared to pay 300-500USD for one. The off the shelf ones are worthless. Sorry.

Unfortunately all real ACL braces are expensive because they have to be custom fit. The anterior/posterior torque that the ACL stabilizes necessitates a custom fit. Be prepared to pay 300-500USD for one. The off the shelf ones are worthless. Sorry.

I think you hit it on the head. I've looked at the ones in sports stores and a local medical supply place but the ones they carry just DO NOT have the support I need. I may just have to bite the bullet and get one of the high dollar custom ones.

Don Joy

Actually searched for this and they have a couple of models that look like they might be just the ticket....for less than $200. :thumb:

PM me, I'll send you over to my gf. She's biomedical researcher in the field of artificial knees implants.

ACL reconstruction in 1994. Wore a brace for about 2-3 months F/T then only when playing aports, hiking or biking. Mine cost $1000 and took about 3 weeks to make. It was similiar to the DonJoy.
I also found that when wearing the brace for extended periods it tends to limit the range of natureal motion and after taking it off, my increased natural range of motion makes me uncomfortable.
I haven't worn it in 12-13 years and hopefully will never need it again, but you should get a 2nd opinion (or thrid) and never let lack of funds stop you from taking the best possible course of therapeutic action.

Bracing seems to be a controversial topic. I had an acl surgery with a semi tendonous graft and my doc doesn't use a brace period after surgery or during recovery.

In your case though if you heard a pop. Is the acl giving out completely? I guess I would see the doc and see if there is any Physical Therapy route etc and what's up with the knee before you get a brace.